Disclaimer: All belongs to JMS except the plot.
Holiday Lights Chapter 9: Darkness
It was one of the longest nights the station knew. The night they waited to see if Commander Susan Ivanova would live to see the next day. At her side Marcus sat, trying to stay awake but the long day caused him to sleep his pike in hand ready to defend her. Her pike, pen knife, jewelry, belt wallet, and wrist light had been preserved, but the rest of her uniform was unsalvageable. Delenn went to bed, but John, Michael, and Stephen held their silent vigil outside her room, watching Marcus's one inside. John was surprised how much the crew cared about her. Everyone who could came. Everyone prayed. Nearly all five thousand of the crew. As morning came, everyone waited for Stephen to examine her. He quietly said she had made it through the night but had slipped into a coma. Through out the next few days her condition remained unchanged. Marcus spent several hours reading to her, speaking to her. He left only when necessary and returned as soon as possible. Her room was filled with cards and flowers from the crew to the woman who did everything she could for them. Hanukkah began. Marcus, remembering about the menorah, brought her large silver one from her quarters and lit the candles every night, allowing them to burn until they went out. Each day he replaced the burned out ones and at dusk lit them again. On the eighth night, as he held her hand as usual, he waited for the candles that were almost out. Suddenly he felt her squeeze his hand and looked up into her eyes as she whispered his name, "Marcus," and the lights went out, leaving them in darkness.
Holiday Lights Chapter 9: Darkness
It was one of the longest nights the station knew. The night they waited to see if Commander Susan Ivanova would live to see the next day. At her side Marcus sat, trying to stay awake but the long day caused him to sleep his pike in hand ready to defend her. Her pike, pen knife, jewelry, belt wallet, and wrist light had been preserved, but the rest of her uniform was unsalvageable. Delenn went to bed, but John, Michael, and Stephen held their silent vigil outside her room, watching Marcus's one inside. John was surprised how much the crew cared about her. Everyone who could came. Everyone prayed. Nearly all five thousand of the crew. As morning came, everyone waited for Stephen to examine her. He quietly said she had made it through the night but had slipped into a coma. Through out the next few days her condition remained unchanged. Marcus spent several hours reading to her, speaking to her. He left only when necessary and returned as soon as possible. Her room was filled with cards and flowers from the crew to the woman who did everything she could for them. Hanukkah began. Marcus, remembering about the menorah, brought her large silver one from her quarters and lit the candles every night, allowing them to burn until they went out. Each day he replaced the burned out ones and at dusk lit them again. On the eighth night, as he held her hand as usual, he waited for the candles that were almost out. Suddenly he felt her squeeze his hand and looked up into her eyes as she whispered his name, "Marcus," and the lights went out, leaving them in darkness.